Mandatory evacuation ordered for Hatteras Island

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DARE COUNTY, N.C. -- The Dare County Control Group has issued a mandatory evacuation order for residents and visitors on Hatteras Island beginning at 5 a.m. Thursday. After 5 a.m. Thursday, no access will be allowed to Hatteras Island.

All Hatteras Island residents and visitors are advised to evacuate as expediently as possible during daylight hours on Thursday before the effects of Tropical Storm Arthur begin to bring high winds, rough seas, dangerous rip currents and the potential for water and sand overwash on N.C. 12.

Those evacuating to areas north of Dare County are encouraged to travel westbound on Highway 64 to Interstate 95. Evacuating through the rural areas to the west of Dare County will help avoid traffic backups and congestion that may prolong evacuation by traveling northbound through the Hampton Roads portion of Virginia.

The National Weather Service has issued a Hurricane Warning for all of Dare County which means the area should anticipate near hurricane conditions.